In this presentation we outline the ideas behind our new research project GATE and share some preliminary results.
International, gender is pointed out as a barrier that hinders all young people with the competences, interests, and knowledge to see themselves continuing into an education and a career within science and engineering. Such an awareness on gender equalities has been limited in a Danish context. Denmark lacks behind when it comes to the number of young women who choose a higher education programme within science and engineering. At the same time women at the upper secondary level attend science programmes and get high grades. Hence, we need research that can help us understand what happens at the secondary level, especially with the successful women. To attend this need GATE adapts a strong qualitative and disciplinary focus that allows for studies of the student’s interaction with the disciplinary content (chemistry, physics and technology), the cultural practices among teachers and students in the classroom and the intersectionality of student’s background, their engagement, performance and recognition of talent.